Mai Tai'd Up (4) (The Cocktail Series)

Mai Tai’d Up by Alice Clayton Book #4: The Cocktail Series Source: Purchase My Rating: 5/5 stars My Review: Chloe Patterson has the life every girl dreams of: plenty of money, tiara-earning good looks, a wonderful fiancé and, a perfect life mapped out for her by her wonderful fiancé and her mother. All she has to do in order to make nearly everyone happy is go through with the fairy tale wedding planned by her mother. All is in order, the day has arrived and, if Chloe Patterson were every other girl in the world, all would be right with the world. Chloe Patterson isn’t every girl and though she does love the money and appreciates her good-looks, her wonderful fiancé just doesn’t do it for her (at all!!!) and the map of her future is pointing in a direction Chloe has no interest in going. Everything about her life that is displeasing to Chloe comes to her via a box of donuts in her mother’s kitchen in a moment of pure panic and so, on the day of her wedding, she runs away. Lucas Campbell is doing exactly what he loves to do. He has spent his life in the service of others, others who have loads of fur and four legs, of course. He is a third generation veterinarian in his family’s practice, he travels to economically depressed countries to provide veterinary care and, he helps out when and where he can in his small, close-knit community. The only thing that would make Lucas’s life absolutely complete is a family of his own. He was well on his way until his fiancé dumped him at the altar and left him wary of women and relationships. Oh, Lucas is no monk but he certainly isn’t looking for the ONE either. Lucas is happy with his life and with the freedom being single affords him and is in no way prepared for the crazy that is Chloe Patterson that is about to descend upon his life. Chloe’s escape to Monterey is courtesy of her father and though she initially sees the trip as a smallish getaway to regroup, she quickly realizes Monetary is just the place to put some of her own life plans into action. As a tiara-wearing beauty queen, Chloe was expected to participate in philanthropic pursuits and one of her favorites included working with dogs. With a few phone calls, some serious training, loads of permits and, the help of the totally-hot local vet Chloe begins to build a sanctuary for rescued pit bulls. For the first time in her life, Chloe is standing on her own two feet and doing something she wants to do and not what is expected of or has been planned for her. Damn! Independence sure feels good  As the weeks go by and Chloe’s sanctuary gets ever closer to opening, Lucas stops by more and more often to help out. Chloe is feisty, determined, passionate, funny and, so not what Lucas should be focusing on. Having his heart-broken on the day of his wedding was a huge blow and though Lucas certainly isn’t pining over his lost love, he is wary of Chloe, his growing feelings for her and, the possibility of being hurt again. But, the heart wants what the heart wants and if Chloe would just open up and tell Lucas whatever it is she is holding back, they just may have a future together. Chloe and Lucas together are just a fine pair, sharing a love of the Rat Pack, mixed drinks, a bit of naughtiness and, caring for their four-legged companions. On paper, Chloe and Lucas make perfect sense but in real life, they both have some baggage that needs to be handled (see what I did there?) before they can truly make a go of a real relationship. The Bottom Line: At the end of Screwdrivered, I feared the Cocktail series may be slipping a bit but Mai Tai’d Up proved me wrong. Chloe and Lucas are so much fun and the emphasis on animals and their care in this book really pulled me in. I am absolutely glad the fallout from Chloe’s wedding runner didn’t dominate the book and the lion’s share of the read focused on her future in Moneterey. Don’t get me wrong, the runner still bites her in the butt from time to time but it isn’t the dominate theme of the read. I found I liked Chloe instantly and continued to like her as the story progressed; she is a genuine character who, like everyone, has made some mistakes and is doing her best to make amends and move on with her life. Lucas is mostly likeable character and though I understand his motivation for the moments I don’t like him, he is pretty unlikeable in those moments. The scenes with the dogs are some of the best and most heart-breaking of the entire read and serve to enhance the overall experience. In all, Mai Tai’d Up offered me exactly what I hoped it would, solid characters, excellent naughty bits, great humor, animals and, the return of a few older characters that serve to connect the entire series.

On her wedding day, former beauty pageant Chloe Patterson realizes that her relationship with her fiancé is all just a show, and that she would ultimately end up as an unhappy housewife. With the support of her father, she ditches the groom hours before the wedding and runs of to Monterey, where her family owns a place. Soon, a friend offers Chloe the opportunity to start a rehabilitation shelter for rescued pit-bulls, which put her directly in contact with town veterinary Lucas Campbell. Lucas is what Chloe calls her "ginger-kryptonite", and the attraction is certainly mutual. But is Chloe ready for a new relationship and more importantly, what about Lucas, who just got ditched at the altar by his ex? What I loved about this book: Cute romantic story all wrapped up in a charming Californian setting What I felt needed improvement: The pace of the book was unbalanced (not much happens until 50%) The romantic development was too hurried and not intricate enough While I enjoyed the previous book Screwdrivered to the extreme, I wasn't as enthusiastic about Mai Tai'd Up because the pace was pretty slow, and not much happens in the first half of the book at all. While Mai Tai'd Up was written in true Alice Clayton style, meaning a funny and light story, with lots of quirky humor and peculiar characters, I felt that the book was missing a deeper intrigue, or at least shouldn't have come "so easily". The romantic development between Lucas and Chloe was too obvious to me. There was no "chase" at all: the attraction was there, and the characters are relentless flirts. The couple clearly has chemistry, but follow the very standard plot of stubbornly-not-seeing-what's-in-front-of-them. Sure, that was the kind of plot Alice Clayton used in Screwdrivered , but it was done in a much more enticing fashion. And while there were a few unexpected situations towards the end of the book, I still didn't think it was enough when I very much prefer a story that is a little less obvious and holds just a little more suspense. However, I liked the character development, because Chloe goes from a very materialistic and shallow lifestyle to making her own choices and actually setting up and running a successful charity. She also starts showing backbone where her overbearing mother is concerned, and that's her own strength showing. It was nice to have a female heroin actually develop on her own as opposed to with the help of some controlling alpha-male. And last but not least, the reason I still gave Mai-Tai'd Up 4 stars is because this book is a real feel good novel. It's cute, romantic, laid-back and just the perfect light read you want the have on a rainy afternoon or even at the beach. The storyline might not be one of the most compelling, but the characters and their little universe will definitely charm your pants off.

Another great story in the Wallbanger series - although can be totally read stand alone. It's one of my favourite. The chemistry between Chloe and Lucas is amazing. It's funny, like all her writing and you what to meet the dogs that Chloe rescues - they sound delightful (even though they're pit bulls!). If you like a lot of sex then this book isn't for you because it takes a while to get hot steamy and there really is only two scenes. But it's a wonderful sexy romance that leaves a smile on your face.

This series is great ... lots of humor ... very good read

Alice Clayton does it again. Mai Tai'd Up is fantastic and I didn't want it to end. This book is about Chloe Patterson and the decision she makes about her life and family. She is a former beauty queen and her dream wedding is coming. But is it her dream or is it her mother's!! No wedding is her choice and to run to Monterey Bay. She starts a new life & job in Monterey Bay with the help of father, Lou & Sammy Davis Jr. Everybody needs a Sammy Davis Jr in their life. I would recommend this series and any book by Alice Clayton.

I have read the whole cocktail series and the endings are by far the most frustrating part particularly so in Mai Tai'd up. I am always hooked throughout but the endings are just too rushed they are supposed to be the best part! And after all the build up throughout I'm still left wanting more from the characters I know that's a good thing but it's also very bad. I don't feel it was a good ending they got back together far to fast and there was no epilogue. So I'm left feeling rather disappointed.

Goes with my other books love it